A Study in Lycanthrope

It was an odd time to live in, 1973. It was an era for disco and hippies and punks. People who screamed for peace and love and tolerance but it did nothing to stop the war. The war that set the world on fire, or so they said. Really, it was more like a slow boil; things just got worse and hotter and angrier. What could they do in a world like that? It was deaths and disappearances and tortures in the paper every day. The Ministry scrambling to reassure, to keep the peace, to hide all this from the Muggles who died anyway. Terror. Panic. Confusion.

Had he not been so young and naive, he would not have been able to enjoy this moment. It was easy to feel safe at Hogwarts, stretched out on the floor in the common room, playing chess against his best friend. The two of them bantered and gloated after each move while Peter sat cross-legged between them, rooting for both sides - a feat he never thought possible with a game like chess but Peter always found a way. Remus was curled up on the couch studying, as they should have been, and occasionally giving out free advice on James's next move. It surprised him that Remus didn't tell James to move his bishop after he had successfully obliterated his knight, so much so, that he looked up.

Remus was staring at his half-finished star chart unseeingly as his head tilted more and more to the side, listening to another's conversation. Remus was not a particularly nosy person: the only reason why he'd listen in on a conversation he wasn't meant to be apart of would be because they were exchanging important information. So, Sirius scanned the room, finding only the mundane scene that filled their daily lives in the Gryffindor common room: The seventh years occupied the best spots by the fire, talking amongst themselves, already looking haggard and stressed although it was only November. The sixth years were, as usual, the rowdiest at their place by the windows; who could blame them when they've just finished their O.W.L's. Half of the fifth years were already studying like their lives depended on it while the other half gave the sixth years a run for their money. It was the fourth years and younger that integrated themselves and spread out around the room. It was hard to pinpoint anything at this point which made Sirius wonder how Remus was able to catch anything outside of their own circle.

"That's because I'm not a sadist," a girl yelled loud and clear over the noise causing several people to look her way, not just him. It was a voice easily distinguished not solely because of the Irish accent but also because of the yelling. Eilidh Nicnevin was only of those people who liked to scream about peace and tolerance. She disliked him because he was not tolerant in the slightest and rather forceful about his opinions. His disliked her on mere principle. Still, he couldn't help but be entertained when she yelled at someone other than him.

Eilidh picked up one of the many books in front of her and started tearing through the pages, putting them in danger of being ripped.

"Oy, it's your turn," James said. Sirius held up a hand to stop him, wanting to see what she was looking for.

"Look - 'this is the fingerprint of God.' 'It's so cruel it's perfect.'" She made a gagging noise and dropped the book like it had combusted.

"What are you doing anyway? We're only on Grindylows. We don't start on werewolves until next term," Josie asked, carefully setting a piece of parchment down on Eilidh's side of the table. Josephine Archer was someone he disliked, not because of principle, but because she seriously lacked tolerance. To be fair, she hated everyone equally and that was something Sirius could respect had it not been done so pretentious.

"Sirius, mate," James grumbled.

"Shut up," Sirius hissed.

"It's 'extra credit'." Eilidh put air quotes around her bitter words. "Remember, at the very beginning of the year when my Aunt got sick and I was out for a week?"

"You're only making that up now? We're two months in!" Josie scolded. Eilidh waved her off.

"I was excused from it. He's only making me do this because my mam. He hates werewolves, obviously," she scoffed and gave the book a disdainful flick.

"You shouldn't slack on your grades like that," Josie said, disapprovingly.

"I'm not slacking on my grades," Eilidh snarled.

"What are you two on about?" Peter yelled, tucking a Galleon into his pocket. James wriggled his eyebrows, smirking. Sirius climbed onto the couch next to Remus so it'd be easier to glare at them. They were due for a good row with them anyway.

"Sorry, mate," Eilidh said, actually looking bashful.

"Sirius, does Radagast ever give Remus extra credit work for when he'd absent?" Josie questioned.

"Who's Remus?" Eilidh asked.

"Oh yeah, loads of it," Sirius answered Josie, then to Eilidh, "Remus is a friend of mine. Bit of a geek probably asks for it."

"I am not a geek," Remus hissed, venomously, beside him. A look of recognition dawned over Eilidh when she spotted the top of Remus's head of the arm of the couch.

"Are too," Sirius returned, not bothering to look at him.

"Wanting to keep up in class doesn't make me a geek," Remus said, giving Sirius a hard and unexpected kick on his leg making him tumble off the couch. James and Peter laughed, hysterically. Sirius shoved the foot that kicked him, wondering what in the hell had gotten into Remus.

"Anyway," Sirius jumped back up, replacing his glare with a friendly smile. "What'd he give you?"

"Who cares," Remus mumbled as he sank lower in his seat. Sirius pretended not to hear him.

"I have to summarize this bloody book about lycanthropy," Eilidh answered, her voice dripping with irritation. Intrigued, Sirius moved forward.
Any book that could be found in the Hogwarts library that wasn't in the restricted section, was generic and taciturn. For this 'bloody' book to invoke such vehement emotion, it had to be good.

"So, is that why you told everyone in the common room that you're not a sadist?" James asked, replacing Sirius on the couch.

"Could be interesting," Sirius shrugged, flipping the book around so he could look at the cover. A Study in Lycanthrope by Elsfir Miklov. Sirius had heard of him; he was a Russian warlock who went mad with his obsession.

"Try depressing," Eilidh returned, looking disgusted by his interest. It was a study in dark magic that was true, and perhaps Miklov went a little rogue with it, but everything they knew about werewolves started here, and this book was a direct translation of his personal journal. He had struck literary gold and wasn't bothered in the slightest by her disdain.

"Also sadistic," Remus added loudly, stilled curled up low on the couch. James snorted and looked at Sirius curiously.

"Mind if I borrow it when you're through?" Sirius asked, ignoring his friends.

"You could. Or you could borrow it now and earn a little money in the process," Eilidh said smartly, settling comfortably in her chair and resting her head on the tips of her fingers. Josie looked just as confused as Sirius felt.

"What are you suggesting?" he asked, suspiciously.

"You take the book, read it to your heart's content, all the while you write my essay. I'll pay you… four Galleons for the trouble."

"Eilidh you can't!" Josie said, harshly.

"How long does it have to be?" Sirius asked, ignoring the protest.

"55 inches."

"Hell no!" he scoffed. "Not for four Galleons."

"Eilidh, he assigned it to you," Josie continued.

"You actually want to read that book," Eilidh argued.

"He's worth 10 at least!" James defended. Eilidh sent James a look to silence him.

"Six," she offered.

"Nine," Sirius countered.

"Sirius, mate, you're selling yourself short," James advised.

"Eight," Eilidh said, in a definitive tone.

"Fine" Sirius agreed, shaking her hand to seal the deal. James groaned and returned to the chess board.

"I'll give you half now, then the rest when you finish," she said, digging in her pockets. "It needs to be done by the 25th. And it better get me an A or higher."

"Believe me, if it doesn't get you an O I'll throw myself to the wolves," Sirius joked, pocketing the Galleons then winked at the seething Josie.

Remus was panting, when Sirius returned and looked a little pale. James was clear about his disappointment in his irritably tapping fingers. Peter fixed Sirius with a confused gaze.

"Why would you throw yourself to the wolves for not getting an Outstanding? It's not like it's your grade," Peter asked, as Sirius resumed his original position across from James.

"What on earth are you on about Pete?" Sirius asked, taking the opportunity to take out James's untouched bishop.

"You said that to that girl," Peter answered.

"That was a joke!" Sirius grumbled. "The bloke who wrote that book locked himself in a cage with a Lycro."

"I think that's an offensive term, mate. And checkmate!" James laughed haughtily.

"It's not like I called them mongrels," Sirius mumbled, flicking over his king. He picked up the book and placed himself next to Remus again. Looking closer, Remus did look a little green. "Alright, mate?"

"Yeah, yeah, just tired," Remus said, forcing a smile and swallowed strenuously. "I think I'm going to turn in early. You lot have fun."

"Your mum sick again?" Sirius asked, his voice thick from the hinted accusation. He was beginning to recognise Remus's patterns. He'd act strange and moody, withdraw into a bundle of blankets, get sicker and sicker as the days wore on, and then he'd disappear and under some unfitting excuse - most commonly, his mum was sick. He'd return a couple days later and Sirius would have to watch James practically grovel for his friendship again. The worst of it was that he was so plainly lying to them and they had to pretend not to notice, play dumb, and allow him to continue.

"Night, Remus. If you need anything," James said forcefully, looking pointedly at Sirius.

"Thanks," Remus mumbled and scurried off towards the boys' dormitory.

Remus disappeared before hitting Sirius rather hard on his upper thigh.

"Nice one, mate."

Peter's smile disappeared, only now realising the tension between his friends.

"The bloody hell's your problem?" Sirius shouted clutching his bruised leg.

"Why'd you gotta be like that towards, Remus?" James shot back.

"Well, he's clearly hiding something. Mum's sick. He's got a dad, why would they make him leave school so much?" Sirius said getting to his feet and pushing James back. Peter grabbed his wand, not entirely sure what he was planning on doing with it.

"So what? If we needed to know he would tell us." James defended. "And maybe his mum is really sick, and the reason why he can't stay at school is 'cause his dad needs to work so no one's there to take care of her."

"Then why does he always look so sick? He can barely walk some days." Sirius argued.

"Doesn't matter. What's it to you anyway?"

"I don't like being lied to."

"Whatever, Sirius."

And with that James found an empty chair on the opposite end of the common room. Sirius returned to his book. Peter found himself sitting awkwardly between two fuming friends. He was at a loss for what to say. He was tempted to follow Remus up to bed before he remembered their plans for the evening.

"Hey, James. Didn't you say you needed to... find something." Peter hinted hoping that was enough, they weren't entirely alone yet.

"What time is it?" He answered still a bit irked.

"Half past 10," Peter said after a quick glance at his wristwatch. James smirked slyly.

"We should head up to the dormitories anyway. It's lights out." He said loudly. He got up and stretched dramatically. "Coming Sirius?"

"I think I'll just read a bit before I go to bed if you don't mind, thank you, James," Sirius said politely though was still bitter from their argument.

"Suit yourself. Come along, Pete."

James and Peter left Sirius alone in the common room with a couple of seventh years. Sirius was seething. He knew that James was right and he hated it. He already felt bad about what he said to Remus as soon as he saw his reaction, he didn't need James to make him feel worse. But, this was not what he wanted to think about at the moment. So instead he focused on the lycanthropy book.

The first thing he noticed was that he, for once, agreed with Josephine Archer. At least on the sadistic question. Sirius thought Mikalov was more in awe of the condition on a whole rather than just the pain of it. Though he could see where her confusion came from.

First, referring to the werewolf as "it" instead of giving them proper pronouns. (He made a note to change this in the essay, perhaps Eilidh would feel better about it then.) Second, he went on and on about the pain of the transformation, (in this part of the book at least,) in graphic detail. He dedicated an entire page and a half to how and why the internal organs have to shrink. Indeed Mikalov was in awe of the pain of the condition, as most dark witches and wizards often are. Eilidh was either not used to this at all, or, like himself, was too used to it.

Sirius looked at the top of the parchment in search of her name. EILIDH NICNEVIN. He had definitely heard that name before. In what context he was unsure. He knew she was a pureblood and rich, but so was James so that didn't mean much. He tried summoning his father's voice and make it say, "Nicnevins. Nothing but a bunch of blood traitors," but even that didn't help.

He thought about asking his brother but there was no way to do it alone. He was a first year and in a completely different house. He could not write to his parents about this. He already dug himself into a hole when he asked to go to the Pettigrews at the beginning of the summer. He had been on punishment for the entire holiday. They would send a howler at least if they ended up being "the wrong sort." He couldn't bear to see the looks on the Slytherin's dumb faces when they heard what his parents would say.

"Psst. Sirius." whispered the voice of an invisible James. Sirius tried hard not to jump. "Think you could take a bath before bed, or something outside of the common room."

Sirius sighed heavily, tossed the book to the side, and heaved himself off the couch. He crossed the threshold, counted to 15, and swung the portrait closed.

James threw off his invisibility cloak revealing himself and Peter.

"You make a weird face when you read," Peter said after a moment's silence.

"How long were you guys watching me?" Sirius asked

"You get all... serious," Peter said wanting a better word.

"I'm always Sirius." He grinned.

"I think he means you looked constipated." James laughed. Sirius chuckled still sore with him.

They looked at each other seeming to have some silent conversation. Peter wisely stayed quiet. After a few seconds, James threw the invisibility cloak over all three of them and they started off towards the kitchen. James knew that Sirius would somehow make it up to Remus. Just like Sirius knew James was sorry for hitting him in the common room. Even though his leg was still sore and James still worried about Remus they were fine.

They walked along the dimly lit corridors with as much stealth as three 13-year-olds hiding under a cloak could muster. Peter held his breath nearly the entire way, praying they wouldn't get caught. He winced every time James or Sirius managed to trip an unsuspecting prefect (or Mr Filch). A few of them crudely blamed Peeves but most looked suspicious. Frank Longbottom, their own prefect, nearly touched them when he picked himself back up.

"Get a grip, Pettigrew," James said when Peter let out a squeal after nearly knocking into Professor McGonagall.

When finally they reached the corridor leading to where the Hufflepuffs slept James threw off the cloak.

"What are you doing?" Peter hissed glancing up and down the corridor.

"Relax. Everyone's asleep." James said in a normal voice. "Why'd you think Frank was so close to Gryffindor.

"And Maggie was so close to her office," Sirius added.

"I wish you wouldn't call her that. It's Professor McGonagall. What do you think she's gonna do when she catches you calling her that?" Peter said indignantly.

"Oh, she already has. Thought she was gonna hex me." He laughed.

"That was hilarious." James snorted. "But let's get down to business."

"Right-O Jimmy boy," Sirius said stepping into a military-like stance.

"Well I'm glad you two are so confident about this but I don't like being so close to the Slytherins. I'm pretty sure they're nocturnal." Peter rambled gaining no attention from his friends. They marched straight up to a pile of barrels. James tapped one of them 5 times resulting in its top rolling off to reveal a large hole, large enough for a grown man to slip through. Peter whimpered. He half hoped they wouldn't be successful.

"Peter relax. Think of the food!" Sirius consoled as James put his cloak back on. James slid down the hole. Peter started muttering "think of the food, think of the food" to keep himself calm. Sirius strained to hear James signal. When finally a whispered "clear" came through the opening they both relaxed. Sirius went first, down the swirling slide that led to the Hufflepuff common room and landed gracefully on his feet. Peter, forgot about the slide, followed directly after Sirius, and slid headfirst into the Hufflepuff's common room. Or more accurately, Sirius's backside for he had no time to get out of the way.

With a disgruntled "getoffme!" from Sirius they wrestled each other until James shot them both with a leg locking jinx.

"Honestly, you guys were supposed to be incognito." He said, cooly.

"It's his fault," said a grunting Sirius. He was trying to lift himself off of Peter without using his legs. Unfortunately for him, Peter had somehow wrapped his legs around Sirius and was now stuck that way. "If he had just waited 10 seconds like anyone who's been down a slide before knows how to do."

"I forgot about the slide" Peter apologised.

"Oh, Merlin's pants Potter un-jinx us!" Sirius demanded. James was too busy laughing at his friends to un-jinx them.

"Why are the lights on?" Peter whispered.

"Must be motion sensors," James said after calming down. He performed the counter-jinx and helped Peter to his feet.

"But ours isn't motion sensored," Peter remarked.

"We have different founders, now shut up." Sirius snapped. "Which was to the boy's dormitories?"

"To the left, I think," James said.

"You're sure? You remember last year when we tried to sneak into the girl's dormitories. There was that God awful shrieking noise. And McGonagall-" Peter started.

"Yes, yes I'm sure," James snapped. Sirius had already started towards the left at the mention of last year. "You stay here and keep watch."

Both boys stopped at the food of the left staircase. They glanced at each other nervously before placing their foot on the first step at the same time. Nothing happened. They continued, with caution, up the steps. When they got about 1/3 of the way and still nothing happened they knew they were headed in the right direction. They quickened their pace still making sure their steps were light. They stopped at an opening to a vast corridor that seemed to have no end. There were millions of doors and they all looked the same except for the bright yellow numbers painted on them instead of red.

"I thought it be different but it's exactly the same as ours," Sirius whispered sounding disappointed. "Boring. What number was it again?"

"13," James said distractedly. He was already looking down the corridor to find the correct room. "It's not the same, it's all mixed up."

"What do ya mean?"

"4 is next to 17, 25 next to 32. And 13 is nowhere to-"

"Second on the right," Sirius said, dramatically showcasing the door.

"Sirius Black, what would I do without you?" James smiled wickedly at his friend and followed him through room 13.

They peered through each of the bed curtains. Finally, they found their sleeping seventh year, Geoffrey Wilkes. Sirius muttered a charm that put a shiny silver band around Wilkes' mouth. James grabbed his arm waking him. Wilkes thrashed about. Sirius tried to grab his legs without getting kicked. The two boys carried him quickly out of the room worried that his muffled screams would wake his roommates.

Peter upon seeing his friends began bouncing with eminent relief.

"What do we do now. I'd rather not carry this giant oaf up the slide. It was hard enough going downstairs." James asked Sirius.

"I hadn't thought of that," Sirius admitted, throwing Wilkes legs down. "Peter, sit on him."

Peter moved forward and was going to do as he was asked but still said, "Isn't there a body binding curse we could use?" James set his half down and Peter placed himself on Wilkes' chest.

"If you know how to do it then by all means," James answered striding over to his thinking friend.

"How do you not know, you know everything?" Peter said as if the idea of James not knowing something was absurd.

"Well it's not in the standard book of spells and the teachers won't tell us anything, they're suspicious of us. So no, I don't know the spell." James barked. He crossed his arms and pouted while trying to think of a solution. Peter continued to sit guiltily on top of Wilkes and tried not to ask why they hadn't checked the school's library.

"Why didn't we think of an escape plan?" Sirius said, exasperated.

"Because we are terrible at thinking things through, don't you ever listen to Remus?" James said beginning to pace.

"Do you think we could charm the slide to go backwards?" Sirius suggested resulting in a loud groan from Wilkes.

"That'd take too long to figure out," James said shortly. Sirius and Peter started at Wilkes who glared back at them while James still paced. Peter glanced up at Sirius catching his eye and was surprised to see that they might have the same idea. A swift nod from Sirius confirmed it. Peter silently suggested that they ask James before they went ahead with their plan. Sirius rolled his eyes but still asked,

"James mate, perhaps we could ask the Hufflepuff?"

"Why in the everloving name of Merlin would we do that?"

"Well, he's a Hufflepuff. He comes in and out of here on a daily."

"Yes but the minute we let him out he'll scream and wake everybody up. And we'll be expelled. I don't want to be expelled! Do you wanna be expelled?" James yelled.

"Sorry. Dumb idea." Peter responded lowering his head.

"Do you promise not to scream?" Sirius turned toward Wilkes who responded with a vigorous head nod and "mmmerph."

"See he promises not to scream. Get off of him, Pete." Sirius moved so that he was now kneeling next to Wilkes' head. He kept his left hand ready to clamp Wilkes' mouth shut if the situation proved necessary. With his right hand, he waved his wand over Wilkes' face removing the bind. This allowed Wilkes to call the three boys every crude insult he could think of starting with, "you thick gits."

"Merlin's pants. I thought Hufflepuffs were supposed to be nice."

"Bravo, my foul-mouthed friend."

James and Peter said after he had finished. Sirius sat scowling at him. They locked eyes and Wilkes seemed to shrink.

"Sirius?" James looked shocked at the look he saw on his friend's face.

"That was rude." He said firmly to Wilkes.

"Sorry," Wilkes said. Sirius then stood up next to his friends but kept his eyes on Wilkes. James rested his arm on Sirius's shoulder.

"Well," Peter started looking back and forth between Wilkes and his friends. "How do we get out of here?"

"There's a staircase that wraps itself around the chute," Wilkes said with as much politeness he could muster.

"No there isn't," Sirius said moving towards it.

"It's on the other side," Wilkes said regaining his previous tone. Sirius looked and he did indeed find a staircase that wrapped around the slide. He nodded at James who then moved to bring Wilkes to his feet. Wilkes ripped himself away and yelled,

"What the hell are you doing?"

"We woke you up for a reason, mate. You need to come with us." James laughed.

"Kidnapped's more like it. I'm not going anywhere with you. I know who you are. You two marauding around Hogwarts like you own the place. Who are you anyway, but a bunch of second years?" Despite the bold words Wilkes had clamoured up on his feet and was backing away. Once he had finished he turned and ran towards the dormitories.

"Sirius." James signalled stepping aside giving his friend a clear path to point his wand and say, "locomotor wibbly." Wilkes to fell to the floor from the lack of stability.

"Now you can't run away," James said proudly. Wilkes shakily got back on his feet. "And we're third years."

"Jelly legs jinx. How juvenile. You three just wait 'till I get my wand. You have no idea who you're dealing with!" Wilkes threatened.

"We only wanted to know where the kitchens are," Peter muttered. Wilkes looked startled by this. He stared blankly at the three of them for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"I don't see why that's so funny?" Peter said thinking he was missing something.

"It's not." James and Sirius spoke at the same time. "Alright, funnyman. Time to go." James continued.

"Wait! Wait, wait, wait." Wilkes said still laughing. "I'll take you, I will just un-jinx me."

"Yeah, not falling for it."

"No seriously. I'll take you guys."

"What's the catch?"

"No catch," Wilkes said shaking his head. "I would have liked to wait until morning, but since we're already up." Wilkes shrugged and led the three boys shakily out of the Hufflepuff common room. Once they got to the corridor, James removed the jinx and Wilkes led them to a portrait of a bowl of fruit.

He paused a moment allowing the boys to take in the details before he reached up and tickled a pear. The pear gave a high pitched giggle before it turned into a giant green doorknob. Wilkes used it to pull open the door revealing a warmly lit high ceiling room with bright copper pots and a stone fireplace. In the middle of the room were 4 long wooden tables. The house elves paused from their various tasks, smiled at the four of them, bowed low, and continued with their work.

"Merlin!" The three boys exclaimed in unison.

"You're welcome, gents." Wilkes chuckled. "Now if you'll excuse me I'd like to actually get some sleep now."

James, Peter, and Sirius lurched forward into the kitchen. They examined every corner they could reach. Introduced themselves to the house elves, asking them questions when one popped into their heads. They committed the name of one house elf, Hoagie, to memory who seemed more than willing to follow their every wish. It was because of him, the boys went to bed (hexing Mrs Norris along the way) with stuffed stomachs and loaded pockets full of sweets.

Remus was waiting up for them but was hiding this fact behind his potions textbook. He was relieved to find that his friends had not been caught, at least not by those of the stricter staff.

"How was tonight's mischief-making?" Remus asked in the most monotonous voice he could muster.

"Mischief was managed excellently, Remus," James answered brightly.

"We brought you back some souvenirs," Sirius added, emptying his pockets on the foot of Remus's bed. James smiled knowingly at Sirius. Remus's heart warmed. He hid his expression behind his book before muttering his gratitude.

"Well goodnight you fruity gits," James said climbing into his bed.

"Kiss off, Potter." Sirius barked stalking over to his side of the room. He thrust the lycro book onto his nightstand before pulling off his robes and climbing into bed.

Remus's eyes were glued to that leather-bound book. The silver writing that marked its title, "A Study in Lycanthropy" seemed to glow, straight through his bed curtains. This made it impossible for him to sleep. His mind was spiralling out of control and by morning he was paralysed with fear of the foreboding scrutiny from his friends.

***Thanks for reading. Don't forget to favourite, follow, and review.

All rights reserved.

Until next time,

XO